Private Willard Tubbs was called to assist the local Arlington Town Marshal, Webb Turner in pursing a suspect wanted for forgery.  The suspect had overpowered and escaped from the Marshal at a service station when an attempt was made to take him into custody.

Tubbs and Turner saw the suspect's vehicle parked at the side of the road five miles outside of Arlington.  When they exited their vehicle the suspect dove behind his car and began firing.  Tubbs was shot in the abdomen and died 10 minutes later.  His assailant was taken into custody and committed to the Oregon State Hospital where died in 1956.